Despite protesting his innocence, James Graham has been found guilty of biting Billy Slater's ear in the Grand Final.
His punishment is a 12 week ban. This is a pretty big punishement - the biggest for biting in Aussie RL from what I can tell.
Bulldogs dislikers are lining up to give him and his club some stick.

As there doesn't seem to be a picture which shows Graham with Billy's ear in his mouth, just moving footage which looked convincingly like he did - well that's what I thought when I saw it at the time- it seems to be a decision taken on the balance of probability.
There was blood. All sorts had gone on involving Billy just before their contact. If the ref saw a bite mark then that's it - decision correct and deserving of lengthy ban.
Looking at that footage though with Graham's widely bared teeth, it's a wonder if he did bite him that Billy didn't have a more damage or the loss of part of an ear.

Graham is still protesting his innocence and there is no real conclusive video evidence that he bit Slaters ear, and the actual mark left on the ear does not appear consistent with a bite mark.

Was this trial by media and he was guilty before the hearing? The video looks bad, but not conclusive.

12 games seems a touch harsh.

Must admit agree with Royce Simmons Graham is hard / tough but fair.

I think that if he had biten him they would have taken the guity plead to get a lighter ban - so Graham and the dogs must think he has no case.

Pictures looked a bit damming but you could not say he is actually biting him just a close clinch and the picture of Slater's eyes well lets say it is not Holyfield's wound - does not seem damaged at all.

Bet you being a Pom did not help him in anyway - bet if it was the other way round the sentence would not be 12 games.

If guilty then Ok - I have no probs but even with the media view I could not be sure.

When I saw it on Sunday morning I thought it was now I see more views of it and Slater's ear I am not too sure now they may be some doubt at least.

12 GAME ban - Will work out this way - Miss 2 England games - Miss 2 official NRL trial games - Miss round 1 to 8 of season 2013 - Back in for selection round 9

Two items in the case - The Bulldogs called in a'dentist',(?) to claim Graham's teeth are so jagged they may have 'grazed' Slater's ear by accident.
After the decision the Bulldogs remarked they got a fair hearing & although unhappy would not appeal the decision.

For me - A bloke does not take out his mouth guard to whisper sweet nothings to an enemy in an on field brawl

12 GAME ban - Will work out this way - Miss 2 England games - Miss 2 official NRL trial games - Miss round 1 to 8 of season 2013 - Back in for selection round 9

Two items in the case - The Bulldogs called in a'dentist',(?) to claim Graham's teeth are so jagged they may have 'grazed' Slater's ear by accident.After the decision the Bulldogs remarked they got a fair hearing & although unhappy would not appeal the decision.

For me - A bloke does not take out his mouth guard to whisper sweet nothings to an enemy in an on field brawl

The whole brawl seemed to be a spillage of tension and emotional release in such a high pressure game.Billy was doing all he could to minimise contact with the try scorer although committed to a tackle. Inu then raised the stakes by coming in and shoving Billy away - pride and loyalty then took centre stage with handbags at three paces.The Graham incident was the worst part of it, but wouldn't have happened if this 'all pile in' mentality hadn't reared it's ugly head. Understandable I suppose but it usually ends up with a number of players up before the judiciary.